After tidying up, the group headed downstairs at exactly 8:30 to see what was going on.

  Qin Luo and the rest of the team were still dressed in their combat uniforms. They weren’t ones for formalities—after all, who knew when a sudden situation might arise? They needed to be battle-ready at all times.

  Xu Duoduo, on the other hand, had changed into her green Lolita dress, looking exquisite and stunning.

  This particular dress had the unique attribute of allowing its wearer to turn invisible at any time—very convenient indeed.

  The building wasn’t too cold, so wearing this outfit wasn’t uncomfortable for her. Qin Luo and the others also hadn’t opted for their thickest winter gear, sticking to their simple combat uniforms instead.

  But those uniforms? They really highlighted their figures!

  When the 3A Special Operations Team entered the banquet hall, they immediately drew everyone’s attention, causing a wave of murmurs and commotion.

  “Wow, which team is this? They’re all so good-looking! Absolutely stunning!”

  “3A! That’s the 3A Special Operations Team!”

  “So that’s the rumored mutant who’s partially zombified? But she doesn’t look like a zombie at all! I thought the photos on the forums were photoshopped, but she’s actually this gorgeous?!”

  “Damn, their combat uniforms are so cool! Why aren’t ours like that?”

  “I heard it’s a new product from the Crafting Division. Only a few teams have access to them. They’re sweat-proof, blood-resistant, and hard to tear.”

  The other teams from the three major bases were already somewhat familiar with 3A, but the ability users from I City stared at them with wide eyes, bombarding them with questions.

  “Are the three major bases really that impressive? More prosperous than our city center here?”

  “Are they super famous?”

  “I’ve got a stash of gold bars—do you think fifty of them would be enough for that girl to spend one night with me?”

  Hearing this, some of the teams from the three major bases shot the I City ability users disdainful looks.

  “You’re still using gold bars here? We’ve already switched to a points system. And fifty gold bars for one night with their mutant? I suggest you say that louder—3A might just rip your head off.”

  The crowd burst into laughter. Everyone knew how protective the 3A team was of their little zombie member.

  Someone even helpfully added, “Do you know what her weapon is? You want her to spend the night with you? One swing of her chainsaw, and you’d be sliced in two.”

  Though she looked like a delicate girl, her combat prowess was terrifyingly high.

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  After several ferocious victories, no one dared to underestimate the 3A Special Operations Team anymore—including Xu Duoduo, their little zombie member.

  At first, many had dismissed her as just a pretty face, but during the rescue mission at the Research Institute in N City, she had ruthlessly hacked off a mutant zombie’s leg and killed countless monsters. She had gained a legion of fans in the process.

  The I City ability users could only laugh awkwardly. Meeting ability users from the three major bases was an eye-opener for them—they realized just how much they’d been missing out on, stuck in I City for so long without a clue about the outside world.

  Meanwhile, the Golden Eagle Team was fuming with jealousy. They had been basking in attention earlier, dressed to impress in custom suits, their hair slicked back, and faces meticulously groomed. For once, they felt like they were on top of the world, surrounded by admiring beauties.

  Jin Chuanqiong, in particular, had been soaking up the flattery, completely lost in the praise. But as soon as the doors to the banquet hall opened and the 3A team walked in, they stole the spotlight entirely.

  The women around them couldn’t help but gasp in admiration, exclaiming how handsome the 3A members were. Jin Chuanqiong’s face turned an ugly shade, almost like he was constipated. Fortunately, the women around him quickly noticed and scrambled to console him, flattering him back into his dazed state.

  Qin Luo observed the scene with a faint smirk. Watching these people revel in such superficiality, their egos inflated by flattery—it was clear that the leadership of this base knew how to manipulate people. Given enough time, anyone would lose their edge here.

  The Cheetah Team and White Dove Team weren’t faring much better. They were surrounded by a group of beautiful women trying to flirt with them, leaving the younger members of the teams visibly flustered. When they spotted the 3A team, they looked as if they’d seen their saviors, rushing over while shouting.

  “Brother Wang, save us!!”

  “What kind of welcome banquet is this?!”

  “These women are terrifying—they keep grabbing at our clothes! Is this even a banquet hall? It feels more like a brothel!”

  The two rookie teams huddled close to the 3A team, looking absolutely terrified.

  Wang Weihu couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. “What on earth are you guys wearing?”

  The two rookie teams’ outfits were a mess, their combat uniforms pulled askew.

  Hearing this, they immediately started complaining.

  “They told us to change into formal attire. We thought this place was fancy, so we went along with it. But then they started plucking our eyebrows and trying to put makeup on us!!”

  “Exactly! Makeup? What for? We’re not here to be celebrities! Are they insane?!”

  “Yeah, and what’s with this welcome banquet? Why are there so many women here pulling at us? Is this some kind of new trial from headquarters?”

  These two rookie teams certainly had... unique thought processes, chattering away in indignation.

  The women nearby were about to approach again, but a single glance from Qin Luo sent them retreating in fear.

  The Cheetah and White Dove Teams finally relaxed, sticking to Wang Weihu like chicks following their mother hen. Wherever Wang Weihu went, they followed.

  Bai Shu and Chen Xiaofei couldn’t help but laugh at their predicament, while Wang Weihu once again assumed his role as the “father figure” of the group.

  Xu Duoduo stayed close to Qin Luo the entire time, her small hands clutching his arm as she observed her surroundings. The stark contrast within I City was glaringly obvious to her.

  Outside, survivors were shivering in the cold, struggling to survive in tent camps. Yet here, a lavish banquet was taking place, with tables laden with food—far better than what most people could dream of.

  Xu Duoduo tugged at Qin Luo’s sleeve, gesturing for him to look. It was clear that I City had plenty of food; they simply weren’t sharing it with the people below.

  Qin Luo responded in a low voice, “I see it. Don’t worry.”

  He would handle it.

  Xu Duoduo felt inexplicably reassured. As expected, Big Doggie was reliable—a good Big Doggie indeed.

  Later in the evening, the so-called mayor of I City appeared. He looked like an honest man in his mid-forties. After delivering a series of formal pleasantries, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude for everyone’s presence and urged them to enjoy the food and drinks.

  “Tomorrow’s mission to clear out the mutated sea creatures will rely heavily on your abilities. Thank you all for your hard work. Once the mission is complete and I City is restored to peace, we will reward you handsomely and ensure your satisfaction!”

  “How is tonight’s banquet? Are the food and drinks to your liking? Are the staff accompanying you to your satisfaction?”

  The “staff” he referred to were, of course, the beautiful women prepared in advance.

  Some teams, already intoxicated by the flattery and indulgence, immediately shouted, “Very satisfied!”

  But there were also many who had noticed something was off about the situation, silently watching with wary eyes.

  The mayor scanned the room, finally breaking into a smile. “It seems not everyone is satisfied. As long as you’re in I City, working for the base, we’ll do everything we can to make you happy. If you have any requests, just let us know, and we’ll meet them 100%!”

  Qin Luo listened for a while before suddenly raising his hand with a grin. “Oh, I’ve got plenty of questions.”

  His lazy, mocking tone immediately silenced the room.

  Xu Duoduo’s eyes lit up. Big Doggie was about to make his move!